Borderline personality symptoms typically affect many areas of a person’s life, including self-image, relationships, and emotions. According to PsychCentral.com, borderline personality symptoms can be defined as a generic diagnosis of a person who demonstrates a mixture of neurotic and psychotic behavior tendencies. Using the word “borderline” means the clinician’s evaluation lacks firm empirical findings to fully support the person’s suspect actions. Nonetheless, borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious illness and can damage relationships and stifle personal self growth if not understood.

The American Psychiatric Association has published the following list as possible borderline personality symptoms:

-Desperate attempts to avoid real or imagined abandonment-Unstable, intense interpersonal relationships that fluctuate between idealization and devaluation-Unstable self-image-Impulsiveness in two or more of the following areas: binging, reckless driving, overspending, sex, and substance abuse-Suicidal and/or self-mutilating behavior, gestures, or threats-Extreme negative moodiness demonstrating irritability, anxiety, and dysphoria, that can last a few days-Persistent empty feeling-Strong, inappropriate anger or difficulty controlling temper-Stress-induced paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms

Fear of abandonment

Borderline personality symptoms (BPS) related to fear of abandonment stem from the fear of being alone, whether or not the person realizes it. Feeling abandoned or left behind can stir the belief that the person with this disorder is “bad” or “unworthy.” To avoid being left alone, people with borderline personality may self-mutilate or threaten suicide.

Unstable relationships

Often, someone with borderline personality will begin a relationship by intensely idealizing the partner, sharing intimate details early. But as a fear of abandonment settles on the relationship, the person with borderline personality symptoms will devalue the partner as though expecting or preparing to be abandoned.

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The shift in outlook may vary from viewing a partner as especially loving and tolerant to seeing that person as punitive or cruel.

Identity disturbance

Borderline personality symptoms often include a destabilized sense of self. The person can rapidly change vocational plans, personal values, and relationship status. His self-image is based on feelings of being bad, although sometimes he feels non-existent. Unstructured work or school situations may evoke poor performance.

Impulsiveness

These individuals may engage in one or more of the following: reckless and spontaneous risk-taking behaviors involving sex, drugs, alcohol, money, binging, or driving and resisting others’ attempts to restrict, control, or modify their behavior.

Suicidal and self-mutilating tendencies

Self-destructive behavior is common for people with borderline personality symptoms that may lead others to suspect mental illness or emotional instability. Obviously, this behavior requires monitoring and appropriate intervention.

Extreme negative emotions

Frequent or strong manifestations of anxiety, irritability, or unhappiness are a hallmark of borderline personality symptoms. These may last a few hours or a few days, but typically prove transient.

Persistent emptiness

The feeling of emptiness or non-existence can be pervasive, leaving the person feeling washed out or lacking purpose.

Strong, inappropriate anger

Aggressive physical behavior that includes conflict and fighting may signal the presence of BPS. The anger may seem to come out of nowhere or arise from small, inconsequential events.

Stress-induced paranoia

Stress often brings out hidden behaviors associated with borderline personality. People who work long hours, reside in a tension-filled environment, or who have serious relationship issues are prone to exhibiting paranoia and dissociative symptoms as tension mounts and circumstances collide.

A person struggling with borderline personality symptoms sometimes finds it hard to trust others, whether a significant other in a personal relationship or a therapist within a professional context. Because the symptoms of this disorder are manifested in typical “bad” behavior that most people find distasteful and annoying, a therapist may find it challenging to work with this type of patient. Because of the person’s relative emotional instability, a therapist must be able to maintain a “rock” type presence to counter the emotional inflammability of the patient.

Treatment

Of the three prevalent types of treatment—psychotherapy, medication, and self-help—psychotherapy is the preferred and most successful approach. Treatment can be prolonged, lasting a year or longer, mainly because the patient has learned to live for many years with dysfunctional coping behaviors.

Therapists treating those with BPS need to set clear boundaries when initiating treatment therapy. Because this type of personality disorder can be displayed through episodes of rage, anxiety, or fear, it is important for the clinician not to respond personally to the patient, but rather maintain a professional distance while addressing the symptoms. Sometimes those with BPS receive unfair treatment from psychotherapy professionals who fail to distinguish between behavioral and character issues.

Hospitalization is less effective as a treatment for borderline personality symptoms. Many people with this disorder will frequently visit hospital emergency rooms, and sometimes they are admitted for severe depression or more intensive evaluation. While emergency treatment is important if the patient is in danger of self-mutilation or suicide attempts, patients should not be encouraged to visit the emergency room for less serious symptoms.

Alternatively, BPS patients should be encouraged to find a community support group, call a crisis hotline, or contact a primary physician or therapist. Residential treatment should be based on a highly structured program that seeks to increase the patient’s independence and ability to develop greater understanding and fostering of appropriate responses to emotional circumstances, while decreasing the person’s tendency to “act out” an emotional situation.

Medications may be given to combat the emotional distress of these patients, along with the depressed and suicidal states of mind that are common. However, medications work best when used in conjunction with an interactive therapy program rather than simply being administered alone.

Self-help options

This approach is still fairly tentative, as not many therapists are accustomed to working with it yet. However, it can be effective to encourage patients to get involved in a support group where she can learn to manage emotional surges and share common experiences.

Coping skills and emotion management are two vital ways to help the borderline patient learn to get along with others. Processing the source of ill feelings by keeping a journal or talking to others who can maintain an objective position can help a person with borderline personality symptoms deal with daily difficulties. Managing stress through a physician-approved plan of exercise and relaxation techniques also may prove valuable.

Personality disorders can be frightening for both the patient and her family or social network. Professional treatment is necessary to help the person manage difficult emotions and stressful situations. Since no two people are alike, each patient’s treatment plan may vary, but most will need to undertake prolonged psychotherapy and develop coping skills to manage life more effectively. The person’s family will have to be patient during this period and learn how to help their loved one respond more appropriately in the future by taking charge of threatening emotions.

Although this condition was not well understood until recently, researchers are bringing more information to light that can help the medical field make progress in evaluating and treating Borderline Personality Disorder. If you know someone who is struggling with symptoms like these, refer him to a doctor or therapist for observation and diagnosis.

Always Consult Your Physician FirstAlthough it is helpful to get health information by reading and talking with friends, make sure you consult your doctor first before trying any new treatment or changing your diet. Remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate the strength, purity or safety of herbs and supplements. Be sure to always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, speak with your doctor before taking medical action or changing your health routine. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. LifeScript disclaims any liability for the decisions made by its readers based on the information provided.

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